The race for the 2027 governorship election in Taraba State has taken a dramatic turn as frontline All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, Chief David Sabo Kente, has reportedly rejected alleged financial inducements said to be aimed at persuading him to withdraw from the contest.
According to sources within political circles, the alleged offer was linked to associates of Governor Agbu Kefas, with the intention of encouraging Kente to step down and allow the governor to emerge unopposed under the APC platform.
Kente, who hails from the same ethnic group and local government area as the governor, was said to have turned down the offer, insisting he would remain in the race and contest the party’s ticket through a full primary election.
The APC chieftain has continued to maintain in recent media engagements that he remains committed to the governorship race ahead of the 2027 general election. He said growing pressure from supporters across the 168 electoral wards in the state played a key role in his decision to stay in the contest, despite earlier indications that he might step aside.
His media consultant, Ben Adaji, also stressed that only the APC leadership has the constitutional authority to determine the process for selecting a consensus candidate, insisting that Kente is demanding a transparent and level playing field.
The allegation of financial inducement has not been independently verified, and neither the Taraba State Government nor the APC state chapter has issued an official response as of the time of filing this report.
Both camps have also remained silent on the specific claims.
Meanwhile, political observers say tensions within the APC in Taraba are beginning to rise ahead of the primaries, as both camps intensify behind-the-scenes consultations and mobilisation.
While some stakeholders had previously dismissed Kente’s ambition, recent political gatherings in Wukari and Jalingo, where he reportedly attracted significant support, are said to have unsettled parts of the political establishment.
There are also indications of growing disagreement over whether the party should move towards a consensus arrangement or proceed with direct primaries, with Kente insisting that the will of party members must prevail.
In contrast, Governor Kefas’ camp is alleged to be favouring a smoother path to emergence, though this position remains unconfirmed.
Despite the uncertainty, the APC governorship contest in Taraba is increasingly shaping up as one of the early political flashpoints ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with both sides digging in for what could become a closely watched intra-party battle.
Kente Rejects Alleged Inducement, Demands APC Primaries in Taraba Race
